Empowerment

Artist: Nikki Murray

Community Leader: Beth Tinsman – Twin State Technical Services

Sponsor: Twin State Technical Services

Location: Scott Community College, Riverdale

“Cancer” is one of the most frightening and life-altering diagnoses a person can hear. Unfortunately, five years ago, it was a diagnosis Nikki received at the age of 30. As she had overcome some personal difficulties and was looking toward the future with optimism, she felt as if the universe had hit her with a death sentence, and a final verdict – “you weren’t meant to find your joy”. However, her battle (and victory) against breast cancer paved the way for a journey of empowerment and rediscovery of her femininity. After her diagnosis, she began studying burlesque dance to reclaim herself, and remove the power of a disease that tried to take her life. It only seemed natural to create a burlesque-inspired sculpture centered around ovarian cancer and feminine empowerment. Nikki’s genuine hope is that anyone who sees this work will remember who they are and all they can still become; that beauty and worth as a human being is not defined by an ugly word that leaves both physical and spiritual scars. Beth Tinsman is the President of Twin State Technical Services and was the recipient of NormaLeah’s Butterfly Circle Award in 2022.